Traction splint

ABSTRACT

A device for maintaining a patient&#39;&#39;s broken femur immobile and in traction while permitting the patient to lie or sit up in bed, or alternately sit in a chair or wheel chair. The device comprises a pair of pads fitting the hip area of the patient&#39;&#39;s body, and an adjustable rigid frame pivotally attached to the pads and extending therefrom along the patient&#39;&#39;s leg or legs to a foot rest. The pads are secured together by an adjustable, rigid bar, and are held in place against the patient&#39;&#39;s hips by an adjustable belt and strap system so that the pivot axis between the pads and the frame coincides with the axis through the patient&#39;&#39;s hip joints. The frame is attached to the pads by a pivot system that facilitates adjusting its pivot axis to the correct position with respect to the patient&#39;&#39;s hip joints, and the frame also is adjustable in length and width to suit patients of all sizes. The frame provides a connection point for devices to exert traction on the patient&#39;&#39;s leg, and it also provides support for the broken portion of the leg, the thigh and calf muscles, and the foot and ankle.

Throner TRACTION SPLINT [76] Inventor: Guy C. Throner, 13350 Via Madronas Dr., Saratoga, Calif. 95070 [22] Filed: Apr. 9, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 349,024

[52] U.S. CI. 128/84 C, 128/88 [51] Int. Cl. A6lf 5/04 [58] Field of Search 128/84, 85, 88, 80, 83, 128/75 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,768,770 7/1930 Kettelkamp 128/88 1,904,942 4/1933 Heigl 128/88 X 2,573,866 11/1951 Murphy 128/80 X 2,604,889 7/1952 Erickson 128/85 2,926,662 3/1960 Pile [28/38 3,417,748 12/1968 Bimler 128/88 X 3,651,803 3/1972 Bimler 128/88 OTHER TUiiIllEifiGNfi Orthopaedic Appliances Atlas, Vol. 1, page 346, P16. 519, copyright 1952. r

[451 Nov. 19, 1974 n Primary ExaminerRichard A. Gaudet 5 7] ABSTRACT A device for maintaining a patients broken femur immobile and in traction while permitting the patient to lie or sit up in bed, or alternately sit in a chair or wheel chair. The device comprises a pair of pads fitting the hip area of the patients body, and an adjustable rigid frame pivotally attached to the pads and extending therefrom along the patients leg or legs to a foot rest. The pads are secured together by an adjustable, rigid bar, and are held in place against the patient's hips by an adjustable belt and strap system so that the pivot axis between the pads and the frame coincides with the axis through the patients hip joints. The frame is attached to the pads by a pivot system that facilitates adjusting its pivot axis to the correct position with respect to the patients hip joints, and the frame also is adjustable in length and width to suit patients of all sizes. The frame provides a connection point for devices to exert traction on the patients leg, and it also provides support for the broken portion of the leg, the thigh and calf muscles, and the foot and ankle.

14 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEL HDVISIB'M 3,848,585

SHEET 2 [IF 2 TRACTION SPLINT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to orthopedic appliances, and more particularly to devices for maintaining a broken limb immobile and in traction while the bone knits. In a specific sense, the invention concerns portable traction systems for broken legs, and especially to systems that are adjustable to various size patients.

Present orthopedic practices sometimes require individuals who suffer a severe break of the femur to be placed in traction until sufficient healing and reduction of swelling occurs, after which a cast is applied. When possible to do so, especially in the case of a fracture or clean break, a pin is inserted into the hollow portion of the bone to keep the bone in the correct position until knit. There are, however, a number of breaks, such as spira1-, comminuted-and segmental-types, in which the use of a pin is not recommended or is impossible, such as where insufficient structural integrity remains to make use of pinning techniques or where the bone is broken so near to the joint that there is no place to install a pin.

In the foregoing situations, a hole is drilled transversely through the tibia just below the knee, a pin is installed that protrudes through the flesh on both sides of theleg, and a traction device is attached so that the resultant force is axially aligned to the broken femur.

The muscles of the thigh and calf are supported in such a manner that the traction can maintain the broken sections of the femur in place, and straight both in axial and rotational alignment. This procedure is inconvenient and very restrictive, for it must be continued for a period of 6 or 12 weeks prior to the application of a cast. The patient is, then, bedridden and restrained in a very specific and controlled position during a prolonged period, and other problems can and sometimes do arise therefrom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the foregoing problems by providing a means of constraint and a method of maintaining traction without the requirement that the patient remain in bed. In fact, it is possible with the present invention to place the patient alternately in a bed, a chair or a wheel chair within several days of the occurrence of the broken leg. Furthermore, the device of the invention may also handle two broken legs, should the occasion arise, by the attachment of additional hardware to the basic frame that is employed for treating a single fractured leg.

Broadly considered, a device according to the present invention comprises a rigid yet adjustable frame that extends from the foot of a patient along both sides of the leg, or legs in the event both are fractured, to adjustable pivotal connections with a pair of hip pads. The hip pads are held in correct position against the patients hips by a rigid and adjustable bar across the front of the patients abdomen, an adjustable belt, of canvas or the like, that surrounds the waist, and by a pair of padded adjustable straps that extend from the back to the front of the pads through the groin area.

A major feature of the invention is the provision of an adjustable pivot between the leg frame and the hip pads to enable the physican to position the pivot point directly over and in axial alignment with the patients LII I and perhaps therefore return to useful work or other activity away from the hospital, freeing a hospital bed for other uses and significantly reducing the financial costs to the patient during his convalescence.

A substantial benefit accruing from the use of this invention is that the patient can exercise, albeit within some limits, during his convalescence, thereby preventing degradation of normal muscle tone and body functions that normally result from the restrictions imposed on body movement by previous traction methods. The benefit of this ability to maintain a maximum degree of activity commensurate with the injury or illness is widely recognized by the medical profession.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a traction splint for one leg according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective, and on an enlarged scale, of the adjustable pivotal connection between the frame and the hip pads of the splint of FIG. 1, showing the parts in an exploded relationship.

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of a modified form of the traction splint of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of yet another modified form the traction splint of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In reference first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a traction splint 10 according to the present invention generally comprises a rigid, adjustable frame section 12 for supporting a leg of a patient and providing a point for attaching various traction devices to hold the leg in traction while the fractured bone knits, and a pair of hip pads 16, 18 to which the frame 12 is pivotally connected at 20, 22. The pads 16, 18 are suitably shaped to conform to the contour of a patients hips in the area just below the iliac crest to a point below the hip joint, and are attached to each other by means of a rigid but adjustable bar 24 that extends across the lower abdomen of the patient and holds the pads in the correct position as determined by the physican.

Extending from the hip pads across the lower back of the patient is a first adjustable belt 26, of heavy canvas or the like, that can be tightened to cooperate with the bar 24 in maintaining the pads in proper position. A

second adjustable belt 28, which also may be of canvas or the like, is attached to the top or the proximal edges of the hip pads l6, l8 and extends completely around the patients upper abdominal area above the iliac crest to form a corset that, when tightened, prevents the pads from moving distally.

In addition to the aforementioned bar 24 and belts 26, 28, a pair of adjustable padded groin straps 30, 32 extend from the back to the front of the hip pads l6, 18, each strap passing between the legs at the area of the groin and returning to the same hip pad attachment. Thus, when the hip pads 16, 18 are correctly located and held to the patients body, the groin straps 30, 32 prevent the pads and the frame 12 being pushed proximally when traction is applied to the patients leg.

Accordingly, it should now be apparent that the hip pads l6, 18 are securely held to the patients body by the bar 24 that holds the two pads in proper relationship, by the first belt 26 that holds the pads tightly to the body, by the second belt or corset 28 that prevents the pads from moving distally, and by the groin straps 30, 32 that prevent proximal movement of the pads. It should be noted that the adjustability of this pad and belt arrangement facilitates readjustment of the device during the convalescent period to compensate for changes in the patients body shape brought about by this reduced activity during this period.

The frame 12 is pivotally connected to the hip pads 16, 18 by means of adjustable pivot assemblies 34, illustrated best in FIG. 2. Each assembly comprises a rigid base element 36 that is suitably secured to its hip pad to provide a foundation or attachment point for the bar 24 and the first belt 26, an annular receptacle element 38 fixed to the base element and having an end portion 38a with a centrally positioned opening 38b, and a threaded shaft or stud 40 with a circular-shaped flat head 40a. The diameter of the head 40a is greater than that of the opening 38b, and the diameter of the stud 40 is considerably less than the diameter of the opening 38b, so that when the assembly 34 is in its assembled condition as illustrated in the drawings the stud 40 can be moved laterally a considerable distance within the confines of the opening 38b. A washer 42 and nut 44, and a second internally threaded element suitable for rotation by hand, such as a hand nut 46, complete the assembly.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the frame 12 comprises a pair of adjustable side struts or bars 48, 50 that form the rigid structure for the traction forces to work against. These bars lie along opposite sides of the patients leg, and the outermost bar 48 has a hole (not shown) through which the pivot assembly stud 40 extends, thereby to pivotally connect the frame 12 to the assembly and thus the hip pad to which it is attached. The inner bar 50 is held in place by a pair of diagonal bars 52, 54 that also are pivotallyattached to the hip pads 16, 18 via the pivot assemblies 34. Along with the other elements of the frame, the bars 52, 54 are also adjustable, for example by means of laterally ported nuts 56 rotatable by a suitable tool to release and tighten a clamp 58 holding two telescoping portions of the bar against relative axial movement, to compensate for different body shapes and sizes.

Mounted on the side bars 48, 50 are adjustable telescoping struts 60 to which suitable webbing or straps 62 of canvas or the like can be attached to support the muscles of the leg and keep the leg immobile during the bone knitting process. The central point of these side struts can be raised or lowered by proper rotation of the adjusting sleeve 61, thus permitting the physican to adjust the angle of the knee joint to the position most effective for application of the traction.

An adjustable transverse bar 64 interconnects the distal ends of the side bars 48, 50, and on it is mounted an upstanding post 66 to hold a traction device, such as the devices described in my copending application Ser. No. 259,779, filed June 5, 1972, or a pulley should a weight and pulley traction system be prescribed. This post 66 is adjustably mounted with respect to the side bars 48, 50 to permit the physican to align the traction vector to one that is optimal for treatment of the fracture. This may or may not be on the center line of the frame 12, depending upon the type of fracture.

A padded foot support 68, adjustable along three axes so that the physican can place it in the desired position, is attached to the frame 12 to support the weight of the foot at the heel and prevent rotation of the foot and lower leg. This support 68 can be supplemented by suitable means to hold the foot securely and comfortably, if desired.

A skid-like element 70 is provided at the distal end of the frame 12 to support all the weight of the frame, the leg, and the foot, thereby preventing any imposition of weight upon the injured member or foot.

Detachable handles 72 are suitably positioned on the traction splint 10, such as on the pivot assembly studs 40 and the distal end of the frame 12, to provide a means for lifting the patient while in traction.

In the modified form of the traction splint illustrated in FIG. 3, the frames inner side bar 50 is adjustably connected to the hip pad bar 24 by an L-shaped strut 74, thereby dispensing with the need for the diagonal bars 52, 54.

The form of traction splint illustrated in FIG. 4 employs a third adjustable belt 76 extending between the hip pads 16, 18 across the lower abdomen of the patient. This is especially advantageous where the patient is obese and diffculty is experienced in maintaining location of the pads l6, l8 firmly in place over the hip joints. Tightening this belt, and also tightening the first and second belts 26, 28, will thereby hold the hip pads in proper position on the patients body.

The equipment described above for holding the frame 12 to the body is designed to provide the maximum amount of comfort to the patient. However, it is conceivable that a body cast could be applied into which just the pads 16, 18 with their pivot assemblies 34, or other suitable pivot means, could be moulded over the hip joints to which the frame 12 could be attached, thus also providing pivotal movement about the hip joint axis, this arrangement also being within the scope of the present invention. However, this is a less desirable manner of providing pivotal support of the frame 12 on the patients body, as it fails to provide means for adjustment as is available when the foregoing preferred embodiments are employed.

Although the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention has been herein shown and described, it will be apparent that modification and variation may be made without departing from what is regarded to be the subject matter of the invention.

I claim:

1. A portable orthopedic apparatus for constraining a patients fractured leg in traction while simultaneously permitting him to assume sitting, reclining, and prone positions and to be moved between bed and wheelchair or the like, comprising frame means including frame support means for positioning along and supporting a patients leg and provide an attachment point for traction devices, wherein said frame means comprises inner and outer side bars extending distally from said frame support means to lie along the opposite sides of a patients leg, a transverse bar interconnecting the distal end area of said side bars, ans traction mounting means attached to said transverse bar,

said frame support means for positioning on the patient at his hip joint area to provide a secure support on the patient for said frame means, wherein the frame support means comprises at least one foundation means for positioning along the patients body overlying the hip joint, and means for securing said foundation means to said body so that said foundation means will not move from position when traction is applied to the patients leg and pivot means pivotally interconnecting said frame means and said frame support means coaxially with the axis through the patients hip joint for providing pivotal movement between said frame means and said frame support means, and between the patients femur and the socket therefor, about said hip joint axis,

whereby when a patient is properly placed in traction in said portable orthopedic apparatus, said apparatus enables said patient to freely move between sitting, reclining and prone positions, and while in these positions to be moved about between beds, wheelchairs, and the like, without disturbing the traction forces being exerted on said patient by said apparatus.

2. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pivot means is attached to said foundation means, and said frame means is removably attached to said pivot means.

3. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises at least one belt means for surrounding the patients body to secure said foundation means thereto.

4. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 1 including first and second belt means, said first belt means attached to said foundation means to surround the patient above his iliac crest and thereby prevent distal movement of said foundation means, and said second belt means attached to said foundation means to extend across the lower back of the patient.

5. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 4 including rigid but adjustable transverse support means attached to said foundation means to extend across the patients abdominal area.

6. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 5 including third belt means attached to said foundation means to extend across the patients abdominal area.

7. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 1 including groin strap means attached to said foundation means to extend between the front and back of the patient through the groin area to prevent proximal movement of said foundation means when traction is applied to the patients leg.

8. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pivot means is adjustable to facilitate precise positioning of its pivot axis over the patients hip joint axis.

9. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said pivot means comprises a base element for attaching to said frame support means and having an aperture therethrough, stud means having a head portion of larger diameter than said aperture and a threaded shank portion having a diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of said aperture, whereby when said stud means is inserted into functional position in said aperture and said frame means is attached thereto the pivot axis of said frame means with respect to said frame support means is adjustable.

10. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said frame support means comprises a body cast and said pivot means is attached thereto.

11. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 1 including diagonal bar means extending between said inner bar and said pivot means.

12. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 1 including leg support means mounted on said side bars to support the patients leg muscles, foot rest means to support the patients foot, and means attached to the distal end of said frame means to support said frame means and prevent weight from being imposed on the patients leg and foot.

13. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said frame means is adjustable to fit it to patients of various sizes.

14. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said frame means accommodates both legs of a patient. 

1. A portable orthopedic apparatus for constraining a patient''s fractured leg in traction while simultaneously permitting him to assume sitting, reclining, and prone positions and to be moved between bed and wheelchair or the like, comprising frame means including frame support means for positioning along and supporting a patient''s leg and provide an attachment point for traction devices, wherein said frame means comprises inner and outer side bars extending distally from said frame support means to lie along the opposite sides of a patient''s leg, a transverse bar interconnecting the distal end area of said side bars, ans traction mounting means attached to said transverse bar, said frame support means for positioning on the patient at his hip joint area to provide a secure support on the patient for said frame means, wherein the frame support means comprises at least one foundation means for positioning along the patient''s body overlying the hip joint, and means for securing said foundation means to said body so that said foundation means will not move from position when traction is applied to the patient''s leg and pivot means pivotally interconnecting said frame means and said frame support means coaxially with the axis through the patient''s hip joint for providing pivotal movement between said frame means and said frame support means, and between the patient''s femur and the socket therefor, about said hip joint axis, whereby when a patient is properly placed in traction in said portable orthopedic apparatus, said apparatus enables said patient to freely move between sitting, reclining and prone positions, and while in these positions to be moved about between beds, wheelchairs, and the like, without disturbing the traction forces being exerted on said patient by said apparatus.
 2. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pivot means is attached to said foundation means, and said frame means is removably attached to said pivot means.
 3. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises at least one belt means for surrounding the patient''s body to secure said foundation means thereto.
 4. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 1 including first and second belt means, said first belt means attached to said foundation means to surround the patient above his iliac crest and thereby prevent distal movement of said foundation means, and said second belt means attached to said foundation means to extend across the lower back of the patient.
 5. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 4 including rigid but adjustable transverse support means attached to said foundation means to extend across the patient''s abdominal area.
 6. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 5 including third belt means attached to said foundation means to extend across the patient''s abdominal area.
 7. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 1 including groin strap means attached to said foundation means to extend between the front and back of the patient through the groin area to prevent proximal movement of said foundation means when traction is applied to the patient''s leg.
 8. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pivot means is adjustable to facilitate precise positioning of its pivot axis over the patient''s hip joint axis.
 9. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said pivot means comprises a base element for attaching to said frame support means and having an aperture therethrough, stud means having a head portion of larger diameter than said aperture and a threaded shank portion having a diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of said aperture, whereby when said stud means is inserted into functional position in said aperture and said frame means is attached thereto the pivot axis of said frame means with respect to said frame support means is adjustable.
 10. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said frame support means comprises a body cast and said pivot means is attached thereto.
 11. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 1 including diagonal bar means extending between said inner bar and said pivot means.
 12. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 1 including leg support means mounted on said side bars to support the patient''s leg muscles, foot rest means to support the patient''s foot, and means attached to the distal end of said frame means to support said frame means and prevent weight from being imposed on the patient''s leg and foot.
 13. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said frame means is adjustable to fit it to patients of various sizes.
 14. An orthopedic apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said frame means accommodates both legs of a patient. 